Meta

I did so, by making her an indulgent euphoric blend of chocolate stuffed sinfully inside a Jar! As you all know, I am not a PRO at cooking. But I somehow managed the Chocolate Mousse. The Recipe goes like this!

1) Firstly get your ingredients in place. Chocolate Mousse is something you can store for long. So, doesn’t matter if you make loads of it and fill it up in your refrigerator. Also, if you are generous enough, you can share the same with other members of your family and your friends!

Okay, now you just need three things with you!

500g Dark Chocolate Compound. I used MORDE!

2 packs of 45g Whipped Cream. I used BLUE BIRD

And 190 ml fresh cream. I used AMUL

All of these are locally available.

2) Empty the dark chocolate compound and the fresh cream into a container and melt the chocolate in the Microwave. (4- 4.5 mins for 500g of chocolates). Those doing it on the gas would take longer. Keep stirring and mixing as the melting takes place for better results.

The Dark Chocolate Compound

The Fresh Cream poured in

3) In the meanwhile you can take another container and add 100 ml water to it and pour in the whipped cream powder into it. Then whisk it thoroughly till you see the firm peaks formed. If you’re using an electric blender then whisk for about 3 minutes. If you’re doing it manually then do so for 6 minutes.

The Whipped Cream Powder

Whisking the Whipped Cream

4) Now, mix the two mixtures. You have the molten dark chocolate, fresh cream and the whipped cream all together and whisk the same with a spatula. (Preferably use a silicon spatula which will enable you to stick out even the most gooey and sticky chocolates off your container!)

The Mixture

Don’t panic if it turns all white and no longer looks like Chocolate!

All you need is some patience and of course energy to constantly stir and churn the mixture

Phewwww, it finally looks like Mousse!

If you pour this liquid into some broiling milk you will be blessed with some ‘over the moon’ Hot Chocolate!

5) Anyway, now all you have to do is set the mixture in a nice jar and leave it in the refrigerator. I left it overnight so that it attains the viscous texture.

6) In the morning, the Chocolate Mousse is just a ‘delicate stir’ away from being presented to all those eagerly waiting to tuck themselves into it. The light stirring on the top will let it look like a glop of creamy dressing when the Jar is opened.

And here it is! Ready to be eaten!:D

I am sure this is not too much of hard work! My Mum really loved it! The best part is, you really don’t have to care about the proportion of the ingredients. The Chocolate Compound itself is of 500g, The Fresh Cream also comes in a 190 ml pack and I bought 2 packs of 45 g whipped cream. So, all of it is filled in the jar!

Hope you enjoy making this one and eating it as well. You don’t really need to wait for an occasion like Mother’s Day for this recipe! Just give it a try and let your Mum know that you love her to the moon and back!:)

Well, so I was invited to the pre- launch Experiential Culinary Workshop conducted by Dunkin’ Donuts India at their Khar Outlet. All thanks to #fbai and Mr. Sameer Malkani.

The official logo!

It was a mouth exploding experience! Yeah, ‘mouth- exploding’ is the best word to describe it. So, DD is this Quick Service Restaurant targeting the Urban Adults.

The Khar outlet is vivacious and sizable celebrating our ‘happily screwed’ lives! There is a wall dedicated to all the metropolitan commoners like us, which tries to put forth the various thought processes going on simultaneously in an average Mumbaikars’ head!

The Wall

So, in the workshop we got to taste a few signature DD products. Yes, I can sense the green eyed jealousy within each one of you reading this at the moment. They started off with serving us some fresh Iced Tea as it was hot outside and we needed something to cool us down. The Spiked Iced Tea, which was flavored with Spices was loved by all. But I personally found the Green Tea Iced Tea the best and the most invigorating. ( Also, it is relatively healthy and the tang of baby ginger is effervescent!)

They then moved on to their signature ‘Tough Guy Burger’ which is made using bagels. For the non-vegetarians it is made using the Chorizo Patty and for the vegetarians using the Elephants Yam. Now I loved the ‘Tough Guy Burger’! Although the mustard sauce (they have a secret recipe to prepare it) ruled the roost, it wasn’t that kind of an extremist mustard flavor which most of us detest. You will surely fall for this one. It was just right! Also the Heaven Can’t Wait Burger they served was one of the best and as my friend Sanaya (thegallivantingguide.wordpress.com) rightly said that it could beat the burgers of any other Burger joint in India.

Also, their Vegetarian Wicked Wrap was finger licking! They claim to use multi-grain bread/ roti along with cottage cheese and the inevitable Mustard Sauce! It was pretty filling and they were generous to please all of us by offering us some more and more and more… I am sure they are dying to serve all those who are waiting out there!

Then came in the Dunkin Original Coffee and the Stirraccino. I have heard a lot about ‘Dunkin’ Donuts & More’ being renowned for the ‘More’ rather than their ‘donuts’ in the USA. Beverages are their USP and they have a secret coffee blend that hasn’t changed since 1950! The best part is they use the Indian Arabica variety of coffee, which is supposed to be the supreme variety of coffee. Just for your information all other coffee joints, use the inferior Robusta or Liberica variety of coffee!

The Secret Coffee Blend… Shhhhh!

Stirraccino

Their Chief Beverage Chef, Chef Felix

Now they have 20 varieties of donuts! We are indeed spoilt for choice. I tried the Alive by Chocolate which was above average but I liked the Chocolate Hazelnut Donut better. You can get your donuts heated on request. But they guarantee to serve freshly made donuts and refrain from serving stale ones. Hatsoff to them for this as majority of these fast food chains serve stale food. Also, their Cinnamon Donut is worth a try!

The plethora of yumminesss

Alive by Chocolate, filled with gooey chocolate… Although I wish the chocolate filling was heavier!:P

I am looking forward to visiting the Dunkin’ Donuts outlet soon after it’s official launch and try a few more flavors. I’ve just tried 3, come on there are 17 more waiting out there to please my palate. Ohh, and yes now we know that Dunkin’ Donuts is indeed a very much awaited brand in India as celebrity Chef Vicky Ratnani too graced the occasion by his presence!

It was a Sunday evening when I walked into this restaurant in Lower Parel bang opposite the Palladium Mall with a ‘Quattro’ friends! Quattro literally translates into the number ‘four’ in Italian. Reminds me of the quattrocento, the 15th century period of Italian art and architecture. This place is nothing short of the quattrocento. Although the restaurant is non conspicuous on the Senapati Bapat Marg and to add fuel to the fire the font in which the restaurants name is embossed is some what illegible. But once you’re in there, it is a marvel altogether.

OUR LUMINOUS TABLE

Sunday evenings are crowded at Quattro. We were lucky enough to grab this table right in the center of the restaurant, which had a glass pane that was lit with small LED bulbs and had water flowing through it. Moreover, we got a nice view of all the things around us from that spot. The staff here has an air of this place being located in the ‘Snobbish South Mumbai’ locality, nevertheless, they guided us pretty well while selecting what to eat. The service here is pretty average. Neither too slow nor too fast, except for the fact that at times we can’t help but excuse them for it being a ‘busy as a bee’ Sunday evening for them.

The ambience is quite soothing but we found the lighting to be tenebrous. As we sat there chatting and observing people around us, we noticed that almost each table had a Wood fire Pizza! Also, almost none of the guests left without delving into at least one of the wide variety of desserts they had on display. We soon placed our order and hardly had our food arrived when we self proclaimed ourselves to be Gluttons!

Before our appetizers arrived the attendants kept almost eight varieties of dips on our table. So, typical Indian, we always need some accompaniments to our food. Unfortunately, for the Europeans, if you ask for an accompaniment they take it as an insult to their culinary skills. Yet, we just can’t get over the ‘Chutney’ culture!

THE DIP CHASE

Firstly we had the Firehouse Chilli Nachoes. We went for it, for the simple reason that it’s name sounded fiery! They were cheesy and delicious with the amazing blend of black olives and pico de gallo!

FIREHOUSE CHILLI NACHOES

Then we went in for the Tex Mex Loaded Skins which was basically loaded potato shells with asparagus, corn and cheese mixed in Chipotle Sauce. Everyone simply loved them. However, the American corn strongly dominated the dish.

TEX MEX LOADED SKINS

Then for our Main fares we started off with the Spaghetti Alfredo, which was just perfect! The cream, butter, garlic and Parmesan were mixed to perfection!

SPAGHETTI ALFREDO

The Gnocchi Paprika was a state-of-the-art for us! The Gnocchi are essentially corn flour and mashed potato dumplings. The cherry tomatoes and broccoli were show stealers here. However, the dish was a bit bland for the Indian palate.

GNOCCHI PAPRIKA

Then we had the yummylicious Lasagne Siciliano. This was what you call ‘hot and spicy.’ But it disappeared from our dishes in the blink of an eye.

LASAGNE SICILIANO

Now, the ‘Fare of Honour’ of our supper was the Chimichangas Dos Quesos. This was Fried Tortillas stuffed with beans and vegetables served with Mexican Rice and Cheese and topped with Spinach and Nacho sauces. If you vow to take in a million calories, this is the best treat! It took really long for this one to hit our table. But I can now say the wait was worth it! If we wouldn’t have been almost full by the time this delicacy crept into our gastronomic ingress, I am sure to have licked the plate off all its cheese and sauce droplets!

CHIMICHANGAS DOS QUESOS

ACCOMPANIMENTS WITH OUR CHIMICHANGAS DOS QUESOS

Now, time for some sweet dish! We picked three desserts from their display counter and each one was out-and-out resplendent! The Tres Leches was the best, it is a Mexican dessert which literally means ‘Three Milks Cake.’

TRES LECHES

Next was the Baked Blueberry Cheesecake. It’s presentation was mouth watering! It was good but I wouldn’t say magnificent! Quattro is a pure vegetarian restaurant and it claims to use rennet free cheese and does not use the animal origin gelatin in it’s cheesecakes. Now, the only vegetarian alternative to gelatin is Pectin. Pectin is a lot more expensive than gelatin, that wasn’t mentioned! However, it’s commendable to have a Pure Veg Continental restaurant serving authentic Continental delicacies.

BAKED BLUEBERRY CHEESECAKE

Lastly, we indulged into some sinful chocolate with the Trio of Chocolate Mousse. This was quintessential and quirky!

TRIO OF CHOCOLATE MOUSSE

I am definitely paying this place a second visit as there are many more items on their Menu Card that I am looking forward to try. Of course, I am not missing out on their Wood Fire Pizzas next time. This place deserves an indub

We have heard an average Indian say I am visiting a Punjabi or Mughlai restaurant or going for a South Indian Breakfast or having lunch at this place proffering a Gujarati and Rajasthani Thali. A non vegetarian may say that I am going to a Konkani restaurant to have sea food. But seldom do we hear people saying that I am visiting a Bengali Restaurant. I can proudly say that I did visit one!

The restaurant’s name is Bhojo Hori Manna which means that this place offers authentic BONG meals what were prepared and eaten by the ancient Bengali grandfathers and ancestors. It is a no- frills restaurant located in Oshiwaara, Andheri (West). The staff here is entirely BONG. You can somehow sense it from their body language. BONG men have this peculiar body language which is indeed charming!

So, being vegetarians we asked for a Mini Thala. They also have a Maxi Thala which offers an additional vegetable and an additional sweet along with the ingredients of the Mini Thala. As we sat waiting for our Thala to arrive an aroma of fried fish filled the room. BEWARE! All you people who cannot stand non veg, I wouldn’t recommend this place for you! But you mustn’t forget you’re in a Bengali abode, fish and rice, is their staple diet! As for me, I was looking forward to my meal. It is interesting to note that Bengali cuisine has been the only traditionally developed multi-course tradition from the Indian subcontinent that is analogous in structure to the modern service à la russe style of French cuisine, with food served course-wise rather than all at once.

Alur Dom

So, finally after a brief mark time our meal arrived. We had the Alur Dom which was yummy, with the typical BONG masalas.

Aloo Bhujia

As a side dish we were served some Aloo Bhujia. If you ask me, I dont think they really gelled in very well with the rest of the items.

Potato + Lotus flower stems + Gravy= WOW

Then we had this vegetable with Potatoes, lotus flower stem and some gravy which was something I have never had before. Bengalis prepare their food in mustard oil which gives it a different flavor as compared to the rest of India.

Jhinge Aloo

Then we had the Jhinge Aloo which is potato along with a concoction of other green vegetables. Every vegetable we had, contained potatoes. I will now add to the staple diet of Bengalis as Fish, Rice and Potatoes!

Alu Phulkopi Koraishutir Torkari

Yes, now that was my favorite! You can see the amount of oil in which the veggies are afloat, but never mind, as long as it was delish! It was cauliflower along with potatoes, wasn’t it quite obvious!:P

Luchi

We were served all the curries along with Luchi which were nice, hot and fluffy. Also some rice towards the end.

Chholar Dal

The Chholar Dal was something which tasted pretty familiar! It was a modification of the Chana/Yellow Gram Dal.

Now, you come to a Bengali place and get out without a bite of some of the Bengali sweets! Not happening!

We had their conventional Rossogullas, which indeed stood out as the pride of Bengal.

Sondesh

Then we had the Sondesh, which wasn’t extremely saccharine. But yeah, if you’ve had a Sondesh from Calcutta, your expectations would be ceiling high and I am afraid this wouldn’t be able to live up to it. However, the Sondesh looked like a fish head!:P

Mishti Dhoi

And yes, the Mishti Dhoi served in a mini earthen pot was simply amazing. A great end to my BIG BONG Platter.

Yes, now about the place, it has an outdoor seating and an indoor air conditioned seating. Since, it is sweltering hot in Mumbai we chose to sit inside. But unfortunately, one of their ACs wasn’t functional and we had to bear the brunt. Also, the staff is polite but not very quick on the uptake. The way the food was served was not up to the mark. I strongly suggest them to serve it in a huge Thali, even if it is course wise rather than just loading the table with an array of curries and giving small plates making it inconvenient to eat. But yeah, all those who are interested in exploring different cuisines of India, must visit this decent enough restaurant in Andheri to judge it for themselves.

The most sought after ‘Shot Bar’ in Delhi, He Said She Said is now open in Mumbai in the suburb of Andheri which is fast catching up with Bandra with respect to the number of Resto Bars opening. Well, there is good news for all those youngsters who love to booze but are always running short of pocket money! <drumroll> This place offers great booze at plausible rates and has a plethora of shots to choose from! Well, now for all those who do not drink like myself, you can hop into this place and if not a lounge experience you may enjoy it in the form of a snack bar! But yeah, this place isn’t a good option for a proper meal! Just tidbits I would say!

Well, so the first thing we hopped into was an Assorted Bruschetta Platter. The Bruschetta had a thin crust and was crisp. I especially liked the one with Mushrooms and garlic!

The next thing we were dished out were Jalapeno Poppers! These were good but tasted more like Cheese Poppers served with slimy Mustard sauce. I missed the tinge of Jalapenos in this dish. Moreover, the presentation of the dish could have been more appetizing!

Now He Said She Said offers a wide Shots menu ranging from a surprising Rs. 120 per shot to a whopping Rs. 385 per shot! Right on our adjacent table there was a clique of friends who were here just to hit the bottle! They strongly recommended the The Flying Kiwi Shot which contained Vodka. It tasted more or less like Green Apple and was perfect for all girls craving for that fruity taste. They were also in awe of Neverland that contained Rum. One of them who had already consumed two Neverlands said that, ‘Ohh, the shot is terrific, I can actually feel the heat in my tummy! And after the shot, my tongue is all plummy!’ Good gracious, that actually rhymed! No doubt the guy was high!

Ah, and then we ordered for a Pesto Cottage Cheese Pizza which was pretty average. It lacked the basil flavor which generally is the essence of Pesto!

Uhm I would rate this place 7/10. Good food, an all day restaurant, two al fresco seating sections, an indoor air conditioned lounge (prefer sitting indoors during summer), best to visit this place during the night, the service was just fine, nothing extraordinary but nothing to ruffle up a few feathers! So, yeah, all teens and early twentiers should visit this place!:D

Wondering what to have for breakfast next morning? Here is your guide to a mix of healthy and hearty breakfast recipes that are quick and easy to prepare. I have written this article for Erudio Magazine, you can have a look at it to get rid of all your breakfast woes!

To be very specific and technical I am an ova- lacto- vegetarian! Which means I consume ‘eggs’ (ova), milk and milk products (lacto) and anything and everything which is vegetarian! I had visited Moshe’s right after my college exams in the late morning hours. I was craving for eggs for my brunch! And I ended up trying three varieties of eggs!

We went in for a combination of three eggs in all our dishes. Firstly we tried the Sunny Side up, which was pretty wishy washy for the Indian palate.

Sunny Side up

So, not being very satisfied with our first dish my friend and I opted for an Egg White Omlette which was truly amazing! It is unlike the desi masala omlette that we’re all accustomed to having. Yet, the yolk portion tasted the best!

Egg White Omlette

Finally our third dish was Scrambled Eggs, which blended well with small quantities of salad and the brown bread toast.

Scrambled Eggs

After an overdoes of eggs, we shared a Gooey Chocolate Pastry which was served warm and it was one of the best chocolate desserts I have ever had in Mumbai!

The service at Cafe Moshe’s is relatively slow but there is something the place that always welcomes you. At this place solitary smokers who sit outdoors, young teens catching up with their friends and young couples hopping in for a date is a common sight! If I would have to rate this place on a scale of 10 I would give it a 7.5/10!